The Basics

Time

Electricity

Language

More than 30 languages are spoken by the local population of Liberia, but English is the official language.

Travel Health

A yellow fever vaccination is required for all travellers to
Liberia greater than one year of age. Vaccinations are also
recommended for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. Malaria is a
problem all over the country and prophylaxis of some kind should be
taken in all areas. Those travellers who plan to spend a lot of
time outdoors and may be at risk of animal bites, or in close
contact with bats, should consider a rabies vaccination. Travellers
are usually advised to be up to date on vaccinations for polio, MMR
(measles, mumps, rubella) and tetanus-diphtheria.

Precautions should be taken with food and water: tap water
should never be drunk unless it has been boiled, filtered or
chemically disinfected; fruit and vegetables should be peeled and
cooked and no raw or uncooked meat or fish should be eaten; all
cooked meals should be eaten while still hot; food from street
vendors is best avoided.

Medical facilities are extremely limited and even essential
medicines and services are often unavailable. Travellers should
ensure that they have comprehensive travel and health insurance and
should bring all required medications with them, in the original
packaging and accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a
doctor detailing what it is and why it is needed.

Tipping

Tips are appreciated in Liberia, although not always expected.
Some restaurants add a service charge to the bill, but if they do
not a 10 percent tip is customary. Hotel service staff appreciate
small amounts for good service.

Safety Information

Liberia is becoming increasingly stable and is working with the
UN and the international community to encourage development, but
the security situation remains fragile and it is still a dangerous
travel destination. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but
essential travel to the Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties of
Liberia, where armed groups are active. All political gatherings
and street protests should be avoided and every precaution taken to
ensure personal safety.

The US Department of State warns travellers that they must plan
trips to Liberia carefully: arrangements for transport from the
international airport to Monrovia, and arrangements for
accommodation at a reputable hotel should be made in advance as
there is no reliable public transport and decent rooms can be
scarce.

There is a high level of crime in Monrovia and although most
crimes against foreigners are opportunistic and petty there have
been incidents of armed robbery as well. The police force has very
limited resources and cannot be relied upon. Crime levels are much
higher after dark and travellers shouldn't walk anywhere in the
city at night. There is a high incidence of rape in Liberia and
there have been incidents of rape and attempted rape involving
foreign women. Theft is common on public transport, in markets and
other crowded areas, in nightclubs and on the beaches.

Local Customs

Travellers to Liberia should not be unduly worried about
transgressing social etiquette. Avoid boisterous behaviour and
ostentatious displays of wealth, and make sure to smile at and
greet people in the street (especially when they have made eye
contact with you). Unfortunately, due to the extreme safety
precautions one must exercise when visiting Liberia, foreigners may
find it impossible to 'scratch under the surface' of Liberian
society. The country's reputation and the relative absence of
foreigners makes it hard to relax in Liberia, but although the
people may be curious about visitors, and the dangers are real,
mostly travellers will find that the locals are friendly and
hospitable. Never take photographs of military or government
buildings and installations without asking permission.

Business

Civil war and government mismanagement have destroyed much of
Liberia's economy, but the country actually ranks more highly than
most others in West Africa for ease of doing business, according to
the World Bank. Lightweight suits or a shirt and tie are the ideal
for meetings and etiquette tends to be quite formal: people should
be addressed by title and surname unless instructed otherwise. The
exchange of business cards and handshakes is usual upon greeting.
Meetings seldom start punctually. Business hours are generally 8am
to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Communications

Telecommunications infrastructure in Liberia was heavily damaged
during the civil war and cellular phone networks are a far more
popular and reliable means of communication than landlines. The
international dialling code for Liberia is +231. At least four GSM
service providers operate in the country. Internet services are
essentially limited to Monrovia.

Duty Free

Visitors to Liberia may import the following goods duty-free:
200 cigarettes/25 cigars/250g of tobacco, one litre of spirits and
one litre of wine, 100g perfume, and gifts valued at US$125.

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